Oregon Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Oregon, with citations to the statutes and the one-call center.
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality and utility, so always contact 811 and confirm current requirements before you dig. Read the disclaimer
Oregon at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Oregon Utility Notification Center (Oregon 811)Visit website for Oregon Utility Notification Center (Oregon 811) (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- At least 2 full business days and not more than 10 full business days before excavation
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Ticket life
- 30 days (reduced from 45 days by a 2026 rule amendment, per Oregon 811)
- Maximum penalty
- Up to $1,000 first violation and $5,000 each subsequent; intentional violations up to $5,000 first and $10,000 each subsequent (each day of a continuing violation is separate)
Oregon requires excavators to notify the Oregon Utility Notification Center (Oregon 811) at least 2 full business days and not more than 10 full business days before digging. The center is a state agency; the statutes are ORS 757.542 to 757.562, with rules in OAR chapter 952.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
The tolerance zone is 24 inches around the outside dimensions of the facility (OAR 952-001-0010).
Key Regulations
Oregon Utility Notification Center statutes (ORS 757.542-757.562) and OUNC rules (OAR 952-001)
Set notice, marking and excavator duties.
Citation: ORS 757.542 to 757.562 and ORS 757.993; OAR chapter 952
Notice Window
Notify at least 2 full business days and not more than 10 full business days before excavating.
Citation: OAR 952-001-0050
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- A 2026 amendment to OAR 952-001-0010 reduced locate ticket life from 45 days to 30 days, per Oregon 811.
Penalties for Violations
The Public Utility Commission imposes penalties by order following a complaint (filed within two years of the violation).
Maximum penalty: Up to $1,000 first violation and $5,000 each subsequent; intentional violations up to $5,000 first and $10,000 each subsequent (each day of a continuing violation is separate)
Licensing and Permits to Confirm
Licensing depends on the type of work and the city or county. Treat these as items to check with the Oregon licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Oregon Construction Contractors Board license
- Local permits and business licenses where required
- Workers compensation and liability insurance as required by law and by contract
Sources
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Facts on this page were checked against these statutes, rules and one-call center pages.
Disclaimer
This guide is general information about state excavation and one-call (811) laws. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Laws, rules and one-call center procedures change, and requirements can differ by city, county, utility operator and type of work. Facility operators may also set their own requirements. Before any excavation, contact the state one-call center through 811 and confirm current requirements in the statute and rules cited on this site. For questions about your obligations or liability, consult the statute directly or a licensed attorney in the state where the work takes place.
Hydrovac News makes no warranty that this information is complete, current or accurate, and is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on it.
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